Governor's Bill No. 15 - Higher Education Budget Implementation

• Establishes a debt-free community college program providing awards to qualifying students at regional community-technical colleges starting fall semester 2020, with awards equal to the greater of unpaid tuition and fees or a minimum of $250

• Defines qualifying students as Connecticut high school graduates enrolling within one year of graduation with expected family contribution of $7,500 or less, maintaining full-time status and satisfactory academic progress, with awards available for first 72 credit hours over 36 months

• Allocates up to $2,131,842 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2021 to provide additional academic advisors at regional community-technical colleges, and up to $500,000 annually for program marketing

• Requires Board of Regents for Higher Education to report to General Assembly beginning March 1, 2021 on program participation, award amounts, student credit hours, and completion rates by degree or certificate program

• Establishes Higher Education Consolidation Committee convened by joint standing committee chairs to receive updates on state higher education system consolidation and constituent unit program approval processes, meeting at least every two months